CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Five people have been charged after police say a robbery suspect and a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer exchanged gunfire early Wednesday morning.
The shooting happened around 12:45 a.m. when police responded to a breaking and entering call in the 400 block of West Avenue near Toddville Road.
Investigators said when they arrived on scene there were three men standing outside near a car, along with a man, a woman and baby inside another car. One of the men, Christopher Michael Fortson, ran from police, officials said.
According to police, Officer Joshua Baswell chased after Fortson, who then turned and fired a shot at Officer Baswell. That's when Officer Baswell returned fire and hit Fortson.
"Officer Baswell fired two times, hitting the suspect twice in the lower extremities," said CMPD chief Rodney Monroe. "They're (a) group of individuals that (we’ve) been watching over a while. Looks like we're going to finally be able to get them off the street."
Fortson was taken into custody and transported to the hospital where he went into surgery. He has been charged with shooting at a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery and first-degree burglary.
Four other people face charges related to the incident as well.
Ryan Michael Sumpter, 21, Ryan Christopher Munsey, 20, and Irving Alfonso Lopez, 21, were each charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery and first-degree burglary. Bridget Nicole Bowen, 17, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
"He's lucky that he's not dead. I mean, you just can't (shoot at an officer)," added Monroe about Fortson. "We did recover a firearm that we believe was used in the shooting,"
Officer Baswell has been with CMPD since 2010. He is now on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in an officer-involved shooting.
Police are still investigating what happened. Anyone with information is asked to call 704-432-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
